Process of producing and liquefying acetylene gas.



No. 629,669. Patenfed July 25, I899. E. N. mcxsnson 6 J. J. SUCKERT. PROCESS OF PRODUCING AND LIOUEFYING ACETYLENE GAS.

(Application filed Dec. 6, 1697.

3 Sheets-Sheet l.

I (No Model.)

w n I I I I u I I I n WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY wAsumoTo (No Model.)

WITNESSES:

Patented July 25, I899.

E. N. DICKERSON & JQ J. SUCKERT.

(Application filed Dec. 8, 1897.)

PROCESS OF PRODUCING AND LIOUEFYING ACETYLENE GAS.

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INVENTORS ATTORN EY N0. 629,669. Patented 'luly'25, I899. E. N. DICKEBSUN 81. J. J. SUCKERT. PROCESS OF PRODUCING AND LlllUEFYlNG AGETYLENE GAS.

(Application filed Dec. 6, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 No Model.)

WITNESSES:

ATTORN EY an an; momuwo WASHINGYON, D. c.

wments.

UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD N.'DIOKERSON AND JULIUs J. SUOKERT, on NEW YORK, N. Y]

PROCESS OF PRODUCING AND LIQUEFYING ACETYLENE GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,669, dated J uly' 25, 1899. I Application filec'l December 6,1897. smart. 660,878. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, EDWARD N. DICKER- SON and JULIUS J. SUoKERT, of the city,

county, and State of New York, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Processes tion, it is important that the acetylene, during its period of generation and during its passage to the compressor and in the com pressor itself, shall be continually kept below a decomposing pressure with relation to its temperature. WVepreferablyaccomplishthis result by continually cooling the generator as the gas is generated, not allowing its pressure to exceed a point at which decomposition may occur. We can, however, operate without artificially cooling the generator, provided the formation of the gas be very slow and the pressure be kept below one atmosphere; secondly, in cooling the acetylene on its passage to the compressor by an independent cooling mechanism interposed between the generator and the compressor; thirdly, in cooling the compressor itself during the period of the compression of the gas, and, fourthly, reducing the pressure necessary to be applied to the gas for its liquefaction by cooling the liquefaction vessel by artificial means to a very low temperature below that of the water ordinarily employed in other liquefaction processes for that purpose. In this way the gas is continually, from its moment of generation to its final delivery in the liquefied tank, maintained at so low a temperature as to prevent any accidental decomposition.

It is entirely possible to liquefyacetylene gas under its own pressure of generation; but on account of the impurities in such gas we have found it advisable to divide the compression of the gas into two or more operations, part of the pressure being generated in In order to prevent this decomposi-' the generating vessel and part subsequently applied by a suitable compression pump. The essential parts of the present invention, however, are a process of and apparatus for the generation and liquefaction of acetylene gas under such conditions as to prevent any pos sibility of accidental decomposition by reason of impurities present in the gas or from other causes.

Our apparatus is shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 represents a longitudinal elevation, partly in section, of our apparatus; Fig. 2, a modification of the same, and Fig. 3 a view of a modification of the liquefying-tank.

It is of course to be understood that the views are largely diagrammatic, but they will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Our apparatus consists generally of a generating-chamber A, a suitably-regulated water-supply B, a pro-cooler O,a compressor D, a cooler E, and a liquefying vessel F containing a cylindrical receiver G. These parts are all connected with suitable connections and valves, as will be readily understood from the subsequent description.

Having described the principal parts of the apparatus, their operation is as follows: 'A known quantity of carbid is introduced into the generator A, Fig". 1, by disconnecting its upper flanged head 1 and flange 3, connected together by the nipple 2. After the charge has been inserted the corresponding flanges are again bolted together. The cap 4 on pipe .5 is now opened and a quantity of water fed into the water-receiver B in the proportion of four pounds of water for every pound of carbid in the generator. and the stop-cocks 9, 10, and 13 opened and the receiving-tank G disconnected from the apparatus by unscrewing the coupling 14. Water is now circulated through the Waterjacket surrounding the compression-chambers in compression-pump D by opening the water-valve 23 on pipe 19, the overflow passing off through pipe 20. The compressor D having been started, the lubricant 29, contained in the separator H, is now fed in proper quantity to the compressor D by the regulating-valve 17. The lubricant passes through pipe 18, to the suction-pipe 7 and thence is The cap 4 is then closed the connecting-pipe 6.

drawn into the compressor. As the compressor operates, a vacuum is speedily drawn on the generator A, water-tank B, cooler O, and their connecting-pipes and the air discharged from the compressor through eondenser E and pipe 12 to the atmosphere. As soon as the gage 8 indicates that the air is in great part withdrawn from the generating portion of the apparatus the valve 24 is slightly opened and a small quantity of water conducted through pipe 25 to'the spray-pipe 26 and thence to the carbid contained in generator A. The acetylene gas generated by contact of water with the carbid displaces any remaining air contained in this portion of the apparatus and is in turn drawn into the compressor and forced therefrom through condenser E and pipe 12 to the atmosphere, thereby displacing the air contained ili the compression side of the apparatus. The receiving-tank G is now coupled to the pipe 12 and charged with a small quantity of the compressed acetylene gas. The stop-cock 13 is then closed, the receiving-tank G again disconnected, and the contents thereof allowed to escape to the atmosphere, whereby sufficient air is expelled from the tank to permit of the subsequent liquefaction of the gas at normal pressures. The receiving tank is thereupon again connected to the pipe 12 by means of the coupling 14: and the liquefier F filled with a liquefied gas, in this case with liquefied ammonia-gas. The water-valve 24 is now adjusted to feed water to the carbid in generator A in sufficient quantity to maintain the pressure in this portion of the apparatus at about ten to fifteen pounds, the gas-pres sure in the generator and on the surface of the water in tank B being equalized by means of The generated acetylene then passes through nipple 2 to the cooling-coil 0, wherein a large proportion of the water-vapor contained in the generated gas is condensed, and, following in a downward course the convolutions of the coil, is returned to the generator, the gas continuing on its course through suetion-pipe7 to the compression-chambers of the compressor D, thence through the discharge-pipe 11 to the condenser E, surrounded by a suitable cooling medium. Any remaining moisture, as Well as any liquefied vapor or lubricant intermingled with the gas, is condensed in the condenser E and, together with the compressed gas, is conducted through pipe 12 to the drip-pipe 15, which leads the condensed liquids to the separating-tank H, the compressed gas continuing in itscourse through pipe 12 to the receivingtank G, wherein the liquefaction of the gas takes place. The height of the liquids separating in tank H can be readily ascertained by means of the glass gage 16.

When liquefied ammonia-gas is used in the liquefier F and evaporated at atmospheric pressure, the temperature of the liquefied gasbath contained in the liquefier and surround ing the receiving-tank G is about 28 Fahrenheit and the pressure at whichthe acetylene gas liquefies under these conditions about one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty pounds above atmospheric pressure.

\Vhen the charge of carbid in the generator is exhausted, a partial vacuum is drawn on the generating portion of the apparatus by the compressor D. The valves 9, 24, and 17 are then closed and the operation of the compressor stopped. Flanges 27 and 28 are unbolted, pipe 25 removed, and the spent carbid taken out of the generator A. The pipe 25 is then again attached. Flanges l, 3, and 4; are unbolted and the generator A and water-receiver l3 supplied With a new charge of carbid and water. The flange 4 and nipple 2 having been again replaced and securely fastened, the flange" 30 on valve 9 is opened. By then allowing a small quantity of water, to flow past the valve 2% and through pipes 25 and 26 sufficient acetylene gas is generated to force the greater portion of air contained in this portion of the apparatus through the opened flange 30 to the atmosphere. The flange 30 is then closed, the compressor D started, lubricating-valve 17 properly set, and the water-valve 24E regulated to feed su ilicient water to the carbid, when the same operation of generation, cooling, compressing, condensing, and liquefaction of the gas is repeated as previously described. As soon as the receiving-tank G is sufficiently filled with lique-' fied acetylene the operation of the apparatus is stopped, valve 13 closed, the receivingtank G disconnected and replaced with an empty receiving-tank, which has been previously deprived of the air it contained either by exhausting the air from the same or blow ing it out with compressed acetylene gas.

By employing two receiving-tanks connected with the apparatus, as well as a double system of generators, coolers, and water-re ceivers, the above process can be rendered practically continuous.

If it is desired to recover the liquefied ainmonia or other liquefied gas which may be used in this process, the liquefier F (shown in Fig. 3) is used. The same consists of an outer tank K and an inner tank L, securely closed together at their top ends, thereby forming a space between their bottom heads and an annular space between their side walls. This space is filled with liquefied gas 53 through the pipe 50, the vaporized gas escaping through pipe 51, whence it is con- (l noted to an ordinary refrigerating-machine for reliquefaction and again returned to the liquefier F for revaporizat-ion. The receiving tank G rests in the inner tank L and is surrounded bya bath of asuitable non-congealing liquid 52.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 2 shows a modification inwhich a simplification of some ofthe operationsis provided for. In that figure A is the generator, surrounded by the cooling-chamber A, through which any cooling medium can be circulated.

Attached to tor approaches a dan gerous point. Connected.

with the water-receiving tank B is the waterpump J, which forces a predetermined and regular quantity of water upon the carbid contained in the generator A through the orifices in the spray-pipe 26. With the improved form of compressor D and D abetter cooling of the gas during compression can be effected by means of the water-jackets surrounding each of the compressors and also by the lubricant feddirectly into the suctionv pipes 7 and 7 by adjusting the lubricatingvalves 18 and 18". The additional separator P, inserted between the condenser E, separating tank 11, and receiving-tank G, intercepts any condensed liquids which do not flow into the separating-tank H and are mechan ically carried along with the gas in its passage from the condenser E to the receivingtank G.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is as follows: The generator A having been charged with a suitable amount of carbid by removing the front head 28 and the water-tank B also supplied with a proper quantity of water, the compressors D and D are put in operation and the air is discharged from the apparatus and receiving-tank G, as

described in the operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. A cooling 'medium is then circulated around the generator in coolingchamber A and around the compressors D and D through inlet-pipes 19 and 19 and outlet-pipes 20 and 20, also around the condenser E. A suitable quantity of lubricant having been previously introduced in separatingtank H, the valve 17 is opened, and the lubricant conveyed through pipe 18 is fed into each compressor by adjusting the regulating-valves 18' and 18", and the liquefier F is then supplied with the necessary quantity of liquefied gas, in which the receiving-tank G is partly submerged. The speed of the waterpump J is then adjusted to feed a uniform quantity of water on the carbid in generator A. The acetylene gas thereby generated at from thirty to forty pounds per square inch passes through pipe 2 to the cooler C, wherein the greater portion of the moisture it contains is condensed and returns to the generator, the dried gas continuing through suction-pipes '7, 7, and 7 to the compressors D and D, wherein the pressure of the gas is increased to about one hundred and forty to one hundred and fifty pounds above the atmosphere if liquefied ammonia is used in liquefier F. Thence it is conveyed through discharge-pipe 11 to the condenser E, wherein any vapors condensable at the pressure and temperature therein maintained are liquefied, the liquid continuing with the gas through pipe 12 until it reachesdrip-pipe 15, through which it enters the separating-tank H, the gas continuing in pipe 12 until it reaches separator P, wherein any liquid mechanically carried along is separated, the liquefied gas continuing through pipe 12' to receiving-tank G, wherein the lique fication of the gas occurs. The pressure maintained on the generator is determined by means of the pressure-gage 8 and that on the compression side of the apparatus by observing the gage 29.

The generator is emptied of spent carbid andrecharged by closing the valve 34 and then removing the front head 28. When charged, the air containedin the generator is expelled therefrom by spraying a small quantity of water upon the carbid through pipe 26 and then opening the air-blowmff valve 31.

If the generation of the gas is very rapid, it maybe necessary, instead'of relying on the air to act as a cooling medium, to place coil (J in a suitable tank, similar to condenserE, and surround the same with a cooled liquid.

As soon as the lubricantin separating-tank H becomes charged with impurities itis with drawn from the apparatus and replaced with a fresh charge.

It is sometimes advisable when large quantities of carbid are being operated on to re-v duce the pressure on the generator to aslow as five to ten pounds above the atmosphere in order to avoid excessive heat and consequent decomposition of the gas. The pressure can also be reduced on the compression or liquefying side of the apparatus by using in liquefier F liquefied gases which have a lower boiling-point than that of liquefied ammonia.

The term carbid used in this specification is intended to embrace the compounds of carbon with alkaline or alkaline-earth metals from which acetylene may be generated by the addition of water or its equivalent.

We do not in this application claim,broadly, the process of liquefying acetylene gas by cooling the compressor, the same forming the subject-matter of our application Serial No. 583,875, filed March 19, 1896. 1

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In the production of liquefied acetylene gas, first generating the gas by gradually bringing together water and an acetyleneproducing carbid in such proportions and so regulated as to prevent a liquefying pressure, and then mechanically increasing the pressure upon the gas to the liquefying-point, meanwhile maintaining the gas below a decomposing temperature, substantially as described.

2. In the production of liquefied acetylene gas, first generating the gas by gradually bringing together water and an acetylenep'roducing carbid in such proportions and so regulated as to prevent a liquefying presthe pressure upon the gas to the liquefyingpoint, While maintaining the gas below adecomposing temperature, substantially as described.

3. The process which consists in combining water and carbid in a closed chamber, thereby generating aoetylene under pressure, eonducting this operation at a rate so slow as to limit the pressure to it less than one hundred and forty pounds to the square inch, cooling the gas, increasing the pressure of the gas by mechanical compression, and finally cooling it by refrigeration to below zero centigrade to liquefy the acetylene, substantially as de scribed.

4. The process which consists in combining water and carbid in a closed chamber, thereby generating acetylene under pressure, conducting this operation at a rate so slow as to limit the pressure to an amount less than the liquefying pressurefor a given temperature, cooling the gas sufiiciently to condense any aqueous vapor,separatin g such condensation, then increasing the pressure of the gas by mechanical compression to its liquefying pressure at said given temperature, then cooling the compressed gas, and finally refrigerating the compressed gas to below zero Fahrenheit, substantially as described.

5. The process which consists in combining water and carbid in a closed chamber, thereby generating acetylene at a pressure loss than its liquefyin g pressure for a given temperature, cooling it insufficiently to liquefy it at its generating pressure, then compressing it to its liquefyin'g pressure for said temperature, and finally cooling it to said temperature to liquefy it, substantially as described.

The process of liquefying acetylene gas, which consists in generating the same at a pressure less than its liquefying pressure, by gradually feeding water to it at a rate so slow as not to produce such liquefying pressure, in then artificially cooling the gas, previous to its compression, in compressing the gas by mechanical pressure, in then artificially cooling the gas and separating therefrom its contained oil or moisture, and in finally liquefying the same at a temperature below zero Fahrenheit, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

E. N. DICKERSON. J. J. SUCKERT. Witnesses:

W. LAIRD GOLDSBOROUGH, II. CoUTAN'r. 

